What are the best Amazon Prime movies? We know that choice paralysis is a real thing when it comes to streaming. Some of these platforms have thousands of movies on offer, spanning a century of cinema.
To help you pick out the gems from Amazon Prime‘s mammoth collection, we’re here to guide you through the best movies it currently has to offer. Maybe it’s time for one of the best comedy movies or one of the best horror movies you’ve wanted to watch for ages. From new picks to certified classics, Amazon has it all.
25. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (2021)
Movies don’t come much more fun and fabulous than this big screen adaptation of a British stage musical, which was itself based on a documentary about a teenage drag queen. The story follows the titular Jamie as he discovers his identity through drag, with the help of a seasoned queen (Richard E. Grant), and plans to go to prom wearing a dress.
Max Harwood shines in the lead role, making his movie debut, while Grant leans hard into the flamboyant weariness of Loco Chanelle. There’s nothing unconventional about this as far as feel-good musicals go, but the songs are dynamite and it’s terrific fun from start to finish.
24. Seberg (2019)
Kristen Stewart might still be best known to many for portraying Bella Swan as part of the Twilight cast, but her last decade on the big screen has been packed with brave and fascinating choices. One of those was her choice to play French New Wave icon and political activist Jean Seberg in this nuanced biopic.
The movie follows Seberg’s relationship with Black Panther Party member Hakim Jamal (Anthony Mackie) and the FBI surveillance program that subsequently followed and hounded her. This is all about Stewart’s performance really, and it’s as fearless as you’d expect.
23. Cold War (2018)
It’s not often that a Polish filmmaker is acclaimed among the best directors at the Oscars, but that’s exactly what happened to Paweł Pawlikowski after the release of Cold War. His decades-spanning historical romance follows a musical director and a young singer in the wake of the Second World War.
The movie runs for less than 90 minutes, but that doesn’t stop it from digging deep into the complex European politics of the time. These two people are kept apart by just about everything, but they have a profound connection through music. It’s a beautiful movie, a sad movie, and an unforgettable watch.
22. Peterloo (2018)
We consider Mike Leigh to be among the best directors ever to emerge from the British film industry. One reason for that is his unique ability to convey working-class history in a believable and fascinating way to modern audiences. In Peterloo, he took on the bloody story of an atrocity from the 19th century, turning it into a historical epic with political power beneath the surface.
Leigh, as always, finds the human beings behind the story, with the likes of Rory Kinnear and Maxine Peake leading a packed ensemble of British performers you’ll remember from their roles in some of the best TV series around. It’s a tough watch at times, but the emotional heart of it beats so strongly.
21. One Night in Miami… (2020)
He’s best known now for his work on the Spider-Verse movies but, before he started messing with the multiverse, Kemp Powers adapted his own stage play into this pure acting masterclass. It’s a fictionalized spin on a real hotel room meeting between four of the most important Black men of the 1960s: Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke.
The film marks the directorial debut of Regina King and she brings an unshowy class to proceedings, allowing the actors to take center stage, as you’d expect from someone who’s an actor herself. Leslie Odom Jr is the star as a swaggering Sam Cooke, but all four leads do a terrific job and the political nuance of the writing really works.
20. The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021)
If you’re looking for a biographical drama with an artistic twist, then look no further than The Electrical Life of Louis Wain. Based on the rise of the real-life painter who completely altered the public’s perception of cats, this feline-obsessed creator developed a whole new style of painting. This, paired with his bumpy family life and new romance, all combine to form a classic period piece with an unusual style.
Much like Wain’s paintings, the visual aesthetic of the movie leans towards the absurd and the unusual, which helps give this real-life retelling a boost. Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy both put in charming, understated performances, which also helped to ground this fantastical drama.
19. Val (2021)
Everyone knows the actor Val Kilmer through his work on Top Gun, Batman, and Tombstone. And everyone also found themselves brought to tears when he reappeared in Top Gun: Maverick, years after his throat cancer diagnosis which left him almost unable to speak.
Val is a documentary comprised of video footage shot by Kilmer himself throughout his entire life, allowing audiences a rare glimpse into the real world of one of the biggest actors to have ever hit the big screen. Written by Kilmer and narrated by his own son, Jack, this biographical telling has an eerie, melancholy atmosphere while also showcasing the joy and life Kilmer has always managed to possess.
18. Totally Killer (2023)
If you’re looking for horror on the more lighthearted side, Totally Killer is the perfect late-night flick on the streaming platform. It has everything we could possibly love about a horror-comedy: the ’80s setting, a serial killer on the loose, and a wacky time-travel element.
When a teenage girl accidentally gets sent back to the 1980s, she finds herself on a quest to save her young mother and friends from a killer who’s due to kill them all. Working against the clock, she needs to outwit the killer himself, while also dealing with her mean-girl mom and her dimwitted friends. Oddball and high-energy, this is a horror with a little bit of extra life in it.
17. Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019)
Amazon Prime has plenty of great comedies to offer, and Brittany Runs a Marathon is one of them. Based on one woman’s true story, this inspiring and hilarious flick follows the journey of a downtrodden young woman whose life has spiraled out of control. When she starts running, she finds that all her problems have a solution, and she eventually talks herself into signing up for a marathon.
It’s lighthearted, easy-going, and a genuinely moving little flick. While it’s not talked about too often, it’s definitely a hidden gem on the platform perfect for when you feel like you’ve lost some motivation in your life.
16. Suspiria (2018)
We’re not always one for horror remakes here, but Suspiria is something of an exception. While the original is undeniably eerie and cinematic in its own right, we love the update. The cast is perfect, the tension is still there, and the modern-day visuals tagged with the retro concept results in something that’s uncomfortable, stylish, and pretty unforgettable.
As far as remakes go, it’s genuinely one of the few that may even surpass its predecessor. In fact, ‘remake’ might be a tough term, since it feels as though it steps so far beyond its inspiration, that it could even be a standalone movie. Definitely one of the best Amazon Prime horror movies out there.
15. Catherine Called Birdy (2022)
It’s rare that a children’s film can get the nuances of adult concepts (particularly that of feminism) right. Catherine Called Birdy manages to nail every theme that it embodies, and acts as a pretty damn good adaptation of the novel by Karen Cushman, too. Starring The Last of Us’ Bella Ramsey as Catherine (AKA: Birdy), the family movie is a quirky take on the classic tale of an independent-minded young princess pushing back against society.
In 13th-century England, Birdy is the only daughter of Rollo and Aislinn, and as such, her father is trying to marry her off to the first wealthy suitor who’s willing. Birdy, naturally, hates the idea of this and does everything she can to ward off the often deplorable men who come to ask for her hand. Heartwarming, wacky, and wholly original, Catherine Called Birdy is a Prime gem.
14. Sound of Metal (2019)
What happens when a heavy metal drummer loses his hearing? This is the question that Sound of Metal tries to answer. Ruben, a talented drummer, begins to suffer hearing problems, and it suddenly becomes clear that he’s going deaf. While he struggles to come to terms with what this means for his career and his life, he’s given a place at a shelter that will give him the space to adapt to his changing world.
Sound of Metal is a movie that’s put together in the most affecting way. From the sound design that mirrors Ruben’s changing capabilities to the poignant exploration of struggle and acceptance, this is a film that’ll stay with you long after the music has come to an end.
13. Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)
The long-awaited yet slightly unexpected Borat sequel didn’t miss. In a lot of senses, it may have even been better than the original, taking on a more narrative-driven aspect and introducing a whole new range of memorable characters and cringe-inducing situations for our favorite Kazakh journalist. In the 2020 follow-up, Borat is forced to not only travel to America to try to redeem his country in the eyes of then-President Trump but to also do so with his teenage daughter by his side.
Naturally, plenty of outrageous pranks and situations ensue, with a whole new bunch of unsuspecting strangers coming head-to-head with Sacha Baron Cohen’s iconic character and his escapades. Matters are made both worse and unexpectedly sincere with his daughter in tow, who’s played perfectly by Maria Bakalova, who was actually nominated for an Oscar for her supporting role.
12. The Handmaiden (2016)
Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook specializes in the weird and the macabre, crafting psychological thrillers that are unafraid to push boundaries and take massive risks. With all of those elements present and correct, The Handmaiden is one of his best movies.
The first part of the story begins with a con man hiring a pickpocket to pose as a maid to a wealthy heiress, with a view to ultimately stealing her fortune. A romance begins between the fake maid and her would-be mark, but to spoil what happens beyond then would be a crime to Park and co-writer Chung Seo-kyung’s nimble storytelling.
Every twist is a delightful shock, every moment of intimacy is packed with meaning, and every minute radiates atmosphere. It’s an exceptional piece of work.
11. Annette (2021)
Leos Carax doesn’t make ordinary movies. So, for him, the prospect of a fantasy-infused rock opera featuring a wooden child and the music of Sparks probably felt like a leisurely Monday at the office. For us, it was one of the wildest movies we’ve ever seen.
Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard are exceptional as the shock jock comedian and gifted soprano singer respectively whose turbulent romance sits at the center of the movie. It requires a lot of patience, but those willing to go with the movie into its unhinged world will be richly rewarded.
10. Air (2023)
The best sports movies will look a little beyond the sport itself, and that’s exactly what Ben Affleck’s Air does. Directed by Affleck and starring his long-time buddy Matt Damon, Air focuses on the creative minds at Nike before the company hit the big time as one of the biggest shoe sellers on the planet. When their mission is to find out who the next big name in sports is in order to nab them for a contract, one talent scout discovers a little-known player called Michael Jordan.
What follows is a journey of creation and smarts as the team at Nike debates on whether to spend all their time and money to try and invest in a player that A) they’re never going to get, and B) might not even pay off. Of course, we all know who Michael Jordan went on to be, and that’s part of the immense satisfaction that this nifty movie provides.
9. Thirteen Lives (2022)
In 2012, a young football team and their coach became trapped in an underground cave in Thailand that was slowly filling with water. It was a rescue that was watched around the world. This is the story that Ron Howard tells in Thirteen Lives, and it’s a tense one at that. We all know how it ended — with their successful rescue — but that doesn’t make the story of how it happened any less incredible.
You might think you know how the rescue mission went down, but Thirteen Lives gives incredible insight and portrays the diving mission for what it is: an unbelievable plan that should never have worked. Starring Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, and Joel Edgerton, it’s a survival story told without any additional drama or flare, because it doesn’t need any.
8. Beautiful Boy (2018)
Following 2017’s Call Me by Your Name, which quickly became one of the best romance movies of the 2010s, Timothée Chalamet continued to be a star on the rise with projects like Beautiful Boy.
Co-starring Steve Carell, the film follows a young man whose life is upended by addiction, and his parents’ panicked attempts to help him course-correct. Honest, raw, and frequently moving, Beautiful Boy is one of the best drama movies on the service. It’s also based on a true story, which lends itself to helping the audience empathize with those on screen.
7. You Were Never Really Here (2017)
Also on our list of the best thriller movies, Lynne Ramsey’s You Were Never Really Here follows Joe (Joaquin Phoenix), a hanging-on-by-a-thread veteran who tracks down missing girls. When he’s tasked with finding a teenager, his world’s edges begin to blur as the job goes wrong and old traumas resurface.
Naturally, Phoenix is terrific in the role (though you probably didn’t assume otherwise, right?), and the film’s runtime is overflowing with tension. A violent neo-noir showcase for both director and leading actor, this isn’t one you want to miss.
6. I Want You Back (2022)
I Want You Back is a hilariously cynical rom-com following Charlie Day and Jenny Slate’s recently dumped characters. When they hatch a plan to interfere with each other’s exes in a scheme to get them back together, just about everything imaginable goes wrong.
As funny as it is, it’s also about feeling like a dead-end human being in your 30s. With messy characters, stellar comedic talent, and a gleefully dark-sided story, this is one to add to your watchlist for days when you need a pick-me-up.
5. Troop Zero (2019)
Troop Zero is a hidden gem starring the consistently fantastic McKenna Grace as a rambunctious youngster in a Girl Scout group. With lots of great talent bringing a mix of kids with lovable personalities to life and a supporting lineup that includes Viola Davis and Allison Janney, this is one of the best feel-good movies of our dreams.
This is one of those movies almost nobody has heard of, to our dismay. It’s a lovely mix of childhood mentality with more adult themes, it goes to show that not everything has to be dark and drab — sometimes, you can find emotion and drama even in the most lighthearted of settings.
4. The Report (2019)
We’re taking a hard left turn into colder, investigative movies with The Report. Starring Adam Driver as Daniel J. Jones, a Senate staffer selected by Senator Dianne Feinstein to lead an investigation into the destruction of CIA interrogation footage, it’s partly based on the article ‘Rorschach and Awe’ by journalist Katherine Eban.
If you’re a fan of the likes of Spotlight, Zodiac, and Dark Waters, give one of the best movies based on a true story a whirl. Investigative journalism has been a mainstay in drama films over the past decade or so, and it’s easy to see why with results like this.
3. I’m Your Woman (2020)
Another underseen film, I’m Your Woman is an understated character piece following a young mother who has to go on the run with her baby when her criminal husband betrays his partners.
It may have the bones of stories you’ve seen play out before, but it’s the deft execution of I’m Your Woman that sets it apart. With wonderful cinematography, complicated characters, and a blow-your-socks-off subtle Rachel Brosnahan performance, it’s an easy recommendation. If you’re looking to check out Brosnahan’s work ahead of Superman Legacy, this is a good shout alongside The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, which is also on Prime.
2. Manchester by the Sea (2016)
Kenneth Lonergan’s brittle and bereft drama hones in on a father who has lost his way after a mistake he made led to the deaths of his wife and young children. Wounds are opened anew when he receives a call summoning him to take care of his teenage nephew after the death of his father.
Refusing to neatly box up grief or accountability, Manchester by the Sea is a measured and empathetic film with a chilly and silent tone. Not the most pleasant of watches, admittedly, but it’s a damn fine showing of some incredible performances and haunting themes.
1. The Big Sick (2017)
Truth is often stranger than fiction, and the highs and lows of Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon’s early romance beggar belief. Co-written by the couple (now long-married), what starts as a fling becomes something more serious. Then they break up, and suddenly Nanjiani is meeting her family while she’s comatose in hospital.
Cushioned by a sweet ending, director Michael Showalter finds plenty to work with in Nanjiani’s awkwardness. Whether it’s bickering with Zoe Kazan’s Gordon or being the third wheel to Holly Hunter and Ray Romano, each scene offers some cringe-induced smile or a brief moment of ‘rather you than me, mate’. Hold for the last shot.
Those are the greatest Amazon Prime movies! You can keep up with the latest releases in our guide to everything new on Amazon Prime, including all of the new movies on the service. Don’t have Amazon Prime? Well, we’ve got you covered with our sign-up link right here!
You can also find out why Amazon Prime Video is improving the way we watch movies. For the small screen, head over to our guides on Reacher season 2 and the Outer Range season 2 release date.